Winter rush inbound
Queenstown Airport is warming up for the winter rush of more than 750,000 passengers over the next few months.
Australian families will begin flying in for their school holidays this week. The Matariki public holiday on Friday and Mardi Gras Queenstown on Saturday will also boost passenger numbers.
Another surge is expected when New Zealand school holidays begin on 28 June. The Winter Pride event starting on 15 August and the Snow Machine festival early in September will also bring extra visitors to Queenstown.
About 248,000 passenger movements* a month are expected in July and August, and about 226,000 in September. [* arrivals and departures totalled]
There will be an average of 65 flights a day between 5 July and 31 August.
“We’re always excited to welcome visitors for their winter holidays,” Interim Chief Executive Officer Todd Grace says.
“It will be snug in the terminal, but our operations team is well drilled, and the buzz these peak-season travellers bring is a real boost for the region.”
Last year, the airport recorded 235,000 passenger movements in July and August, and 210,00 in September.
Air New Zealand recently announced it will switch from the Airbus A320 to the larger A321neo aircraft on the Auckland-Queenstown route from July to November, and it will also add one flight, increasing capacity by a total of more than 19,400 seats.
The Australian airlines have also added extra flights for winter.
The busiest day is likely to be Sunday, 20 July, when more than 5,000 passenger movements are expected. The final day of Winter Pride, Sunday, 24 August, will also be a big day.
Grace is asking travellers and members of the community to be courteous to airport staff.
“Our team is here to help you. A little patience and kindness will make everyone's day go more smoothly.”
